Work support



June 20, 1944.

E. J. RAY

WORK SUPPORT I5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 2 6, 1943 Tlrvllllllllllllf lllllllll llLirmm l I u I'.

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e' I I I I WORK SUPPORT Fig. 2.',

June 20, 1944. E. J. RAY

' woRx SUPPORT Filed May 26, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet A5 Patented June 20, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WORKSUPPORT Eugene J. Ray, Beverly', Mass., assigner tozUnited- Shoe Machinery Corporatiom-Flemington.N. Je a. corporation of New Jersey Application May 26, 1943, Serial No. 488,484

16- Claims.

This invention relates to worksupports lntendedto carry shoes in certaintypes of automatic shoe machines. An example of such a machine provided with a worksupport of this type is the subject matter of myv co-pending application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 488,483,1iledMay 26, 1943.

The vpurpose of the machine mentioned above is to trim the perimeter of the outsole of a shoe, and the purpose of the Work support is to hold a shoe containing a last upside down while the trimming operation Vis beingl performed.

For the sake of brevity the Work support is hereinafter termed a jack. One of the novel features of the jack is provided by a pair of members arranged to clamp the counter portion of a shoe widthwise andat the same time support the marginal extension of the `outsole by direct engagement therewith. For this 4purpose the clamping members are formed and arranged to project into the rand crease. This feature not only locates the rand creases of successive shoes heightwise regardless of the heightwise. dimensions of the heel parts of the lasts, but it also does away with a last pin and with sidewise tipping of a shoe if the socket in the heel part of a last is inclined sidewise, as some of them are, instead of being quite true.

Another novel feature is provided by a combination of members including a toe gauge and a pair of members arranged to clamp the body of the forepart of a shoe widthwise. For reasons related to thetrimming' operation of the machine above mentioned, Vthe,` purpose of the toe` gauge is to locatethe toe vends of all shoes at a uniform distance from the turning axis of the jack, regardless of the lengths of the shoes.

Stillfanother novel feature is provided by means for carrying the counter clamps and a heel end abutmenttoward fand'from `the toe gauge. The heel end abutment serves not only to locate the counter of a shoe in the desired'relation to the counter clamps but also to locate'the toe of the shoe U against the "toe gauge.

Theforepart clamps and the toe gauge are connected to a lcommon operating member which, when moved in adirection `to close the clamps, also retracts the `toeegauge from the outsole far enough to insure clearance of the trimming cutter and the trimming gauges.

Other improvements provided by the invention are hereinafter described and illustrated in the drawings.y e Y l VReferring to the drawings,

Fig.` 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of

a jack embodying-the improvements to be described;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the heel end of the jack;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section indicated by a line III-III in Fig. I;

Fig. 4' is aplan view, partly inA section, of a pair I of members for operating the forepart clamps; Fig. 5 is an elevation of parts by which the forepart clamps and the toe gauge are interconnected; and

Fig. 6 is a section of means for adjusting and locking the toe rest (see line VI--VI in Fig. 3)..

All the operative parts of the jackY are carried by a frame I Il affixed to a jack post II. For `the purposes set forthV in the aforesaid application, Serial No. 488,483, the bearing member I2 in which itv may turn and move up and down.

The shoe-engaging elements include a pair of clamping members I3, I3,r a pair ofrclamping members I4, I4, a toe gauge I5, aheel-end abutment I6 and atoe rest Il. The members |73, I.3

are movable towardand from each other to clamp the `forepart of a shoe widthwise; the members I4, I4 other to clamp the counter ofl the shoe widthwise;

the `toe gauge I5 is `movable up and down for a purpose to be explained; the heel-end abutment I6 isA movable toward and from the toe gauge; and the toe rest I1 is adjustable up and down.

The purpose of the toe gauge is to locate the.

touching the marginalextension of the' outsole I8. Once .the shoe has been located by the toe gauge thelatter should be depressed far enough below the outsole to clear the trimming cutter and the trimming gauges .(not shown) of a machinecf the type set forth in the aforesaid application. t y

The toe gauge is guided up and down bybosses I9, I9 in which grooves are formed to receive it, andby retaining studs 20, 20 extending through a slot 2| in thek gauge. A leverl22 `connects the gauge anda link 2?..and Ais-inounted on a fulcrum pin 24. Thelower end ofthe link is connected to an arm 25 of a lever having two other arms 2B and 21 (Fig. 5). A tension spring 28 attached post II is mountedl in a are also movable towardjandfromeach.

Vlapped (Fig. 4).

to the arm 26 and anchored to the frame I0 maintains the toe gauge initially in its elevated position. This three-armed lever is aXed to a rock shaft 29 provided with an operating handle 30 which, when depressed, pulls down the toe gauge and closes the clamping members I3, I3. A ratchet wheel 3| affixed to the rock shaft is engaged by a retaining pawl 32 which serves to lock the gauge in its depressed position as represented in full lines in Fig. 1.

The arm 21 of the three-armed lever is utilized to impart clamping movement to the clamping members I3, I3. These members (Fig. 3) are thin flexible plates of spring steel and are curved lengthwise in the manner of semi-'elliptic springs to insure contact of their ends with the body of the shoe. The flexibility of the plates enables support the marginal extension thereof by direct the intermediate portions to be sprung toward the shoe when the clamping pressure is` applied. These intermediate portions are aixed to the heads of cylindrical stems 33, 33 (Fig. 3) that provide for swiveling motion With respect to carriers 34, 34 in which the stems have bearings.

Each carrier 34 is carried by and has pivotal connection with a pair of parallel links 35, 36. The links 36 are provided with operating arms 31 which, when depressed, `move the clamping members I3 toward each other with parallel and equal motion. The free ends of the arms 31 are A stud 38 aixed to one of them extends through a slot 39 in the other, and this stud may be moved up and down by a telescopic link the lower end of which engages a stud 40 aixed to the arm 21. One part of the link (Fig. 3) comprises a rod 4|, a tubular element 42 and a cap 43 screwed on the latter. The other part of the link comprises a stem 44 and a collar 45 affixed thereto. The stem extends into the tubular element 42 and through a hole inthe cap. A compression spring 46 surrounding the stem abuts the collar and the cap to provide a resilient operating connection.

The effect of the connections above described isas follows: when the handle 30 is depressed topull down the toe gauge it also pulls down the telescopic linkby which the clamping members I3, I3 are closed against a shoe. If the downwardmovement of the handlel is continued after the clamping members are arrested by the l shoe, the cap 43 willv slide along the stem 44 toward the collar 45, thereby producing supplemental deflection of the spring 46 which, in turn, will. develop pressure'of the clamping membersl against the body of the shoe. Y

The saddle 'of the toe rest is secured toa vertically adjustable post 41 on which rack teethV 48 are provided (Fig. 1). A boss on the frame I is Aprovided with a bore for the post and with a recess for a pinion 49 with which the `rack teeth Y mesh (Fig. v6). The pinion is mounted on a square portion of a rotatableL stem 50 and has a square hole therefor to provide a spline connection ,which enables'the stem to be shifted:

endwise for, lockingpurposes. A locking arm I affixedrto one end of the stem carries a short pin 52 arranged to enter any one of a series of holes 53 bored in the frame I0, but the pin may be withdrawntoclear'the holes by shifting the stem against'ajcompression spring 54that normally maintains interlocked relation. A knob 55 at the opposite .end of the stem is ,effective to turn the pinion 'as welljas to withdraw thellocking. pin. In practice, the toe rest vwillibe adjusted to locate the ,marginal extensionof the' sole about one-.

to enable the trimming gauge to run on the body of the shoe above the clamping members without being engaged by the latter.

The clamping members I4, I4 are movable to- Ward and from the toe gauge in addition to being movable toward and from each other. These clamping members are curved lengthwise to enable'their ends to bear on the counter portion of a shoe and they are inclined (Fig. 2) to enable their upper edges to enter the rand crease and engagement therewith. A shoe and its last are thereby braced against tipping sidewise. The

heel-end abutment I6 is also arranged to enter the rand crease (Fig. 1) and engage the marginalV extension thereof. This group of three work-engaging members is carried by a pair of carriers 18 and a pair of parallel links 60, 66 the lower ends of which are connected to the frame I0 by pivots 6|, 62. The pivot 6I is a rockshaft by Which one Aof the links is rigidly connected with an arm 63. A tension spring 64 exertsa pull on the arm in a direction to retract I. the 'group of work-engaging members away from the toegauge.V

To maintain this assemblage in an operative position as represented in Fig. 1, the jack is providedwith a ratchet VWheel 65 and a retaining pawl-66. The ratchet wheel and a pinion 61 are both affixed to a shaft 68. The pinion engages a rack bar 69 arranged to be moved to and fro inV bearings in the frame I0 by one of the parallel l1nks 60 with which it is connected by a coupling member 18. The two retaining pawls 32 and 66' are connected by a tension spring 1I which maintains them normally against their respective ratchet wheels. 32, and a finger 13 vformed on the pawl 66 are both arranged to be engaged by a manual tripping member 14 connected to the frame III by a pivot 15 (Fig. 2) and having a handle portion 16.

These fparts are so related that the member 14 Will-'trip the pawl 32 before tripping the pawl 66 and thus' release the shoe from the forepart clamping members I3, I3 before releasing the parallel links 6|),v 66to the retractory effect of the spring 64 (Fig. 2). The retractory movement of the parallel links isarrestedr by a stop 11 arranged to be Vengaged by the arm 63.

The upper ends of the parallel links 60, 60 are connected by the carriers 18, 18 and connecting pivots 19.V The carriers are spaced one from the other to flank the counter portion of a shoe (Fig.

. 2) but they are connected by a cross bar 80 ar- 'ranged to lie athwart the back of a shoe. One purpose of the cross bar is to brace the carriers against stresses incidental to clamping the counterV portion. Another is to carry the heel-end abutment I6 aiiixed to it. The ends ofthe cross barY are axed to pivot pins 8| which extend lengthwise of a shoe and through portions of the carriers 18. Eachpin 8| carries a bell crank 82 a'ndeach of the latter carries one of the clamping members I4. Stems 83 formed on the latter haveV swivel bearingsrin the bell cranks.

The bell cranks are interconnected to equalize f the movements of the clamping members toward and from eachother. For this purpose, two levers 84 carried by the carriers 18 are provided with cooperativegear segments 85 and have operating connection with the bell cranks. Each connection includes a socket member 86, a stem 81 in telescopic relation thereto, and a compression spring l -88. An operating arm 89,a ratchet Wheel 3|] and fourth inch above thek clamping members I3, I3 75 'one of the levers 84 are all aixed to one of the A linger 12 formed on the pawl In practice, a shoe about -to be set up in thev jack will contain a last 94, the outsole I8 will require trimming, and the heel will have been attached to satisfy usual routine in shoe factories. The purpose of the trimming machine in which this type of jack serves is toftrim the perimeter of the outsole inthe forepart and along both sidesl of the shank nearly to the breast line.

The' preferred routine with regard to the jack is as follows: if the jack is not already loaded with a shoe the assemblage carried by the parallel links 60, 60 will be initially retracted from the toe gauge I as far as the arm 63.and the stop 'l1 will permit; the operatingY handle 30 will be elevated; the toe gauge will occupy its upper position; the forepart clamps I3, I3 will be open; and the counter clamps I4, I4 will also be open. The operator will rst place the back of a shoe against the abutment I6 and then operate the arm 89v with. only enough `movement to clamp the counter of the shoe with moderate pressure. Next, While supporting the forepart in the right hand, he will place the left hand against the cross,

bar 80 or the abutment IB and shift the adjustable assemblage toward ythe toe gauge until the. shoe abuts thelatter.` At this stage, the toe rest I'I will insure slight .clearance between the toe gauge and the marginal .extension of the sole. Furthermore, `the adjustable counter assemblage will be. heldf against return movement by the pawl 6.6.

` The operator may next depress the handle to close the forepart clamps I3, I3, depress the toe gauge, and build up the vclamping pressure.

against the forepart. Finally, the arm 89 may be moved further to increase the clamping pressure against the counter.

The foregoing routine fulfills the setting-up requirements. After the trimming operation has been performed, the jack returns to its initial position, whereupon the operator will first move the tripping member 'I4 to release both ratchet wheels 3| and 65. The spring 28 now opens the forepart clamps and raises the toe gauge, and the spring 64 retracts the counter assemblage and the shoe from the toe gauge. While supporting `the instep portion of the shoe in the right hand, the operator m-ay release the counter portion by retracting the retaining pawl 92 (Fig. 2) with the left hand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a toe gauge mounted thereon, a pair of clamping members arranged to clamp the counter portion of a shoe widthwise, a heel-end abutment, carrying means by which said clamping members and said abutment are carried collectively tow-ard and from said toe gauge, said carrying means being adjustably mounted on said frame, and means carried by said carrying means for moving said clamping members toward and from each other.

2. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a toe gauge mounted thereon, a pair of clamping members arranged to clamp the counter portion of a shoe width'wise, a pair of carriers on which said clamping members are mounted, parallel links having pivotal connections with said carriers and with said frame for carrying said clamping members toward and from said toe gauge, 75

and means carried; by: said carriers for moving.V

sidclamping members toward and from` each o her.

3. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, atoe gauge mounted thereon, a heel-end abutmentfcarrying 4means mounted, on said frame and constrained thereby to'carry said abutment toward and from said toe gauge, clamping means carriedby saidgcarrying means and arranged to clamp the counterportion of a shoe widthwise, and clamping means arranged to clamp thel fore part widthwise, the latter said clamping means being mountedv on saidframe apart from said carrying means.

4. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a` toe gaugeA mounted thereon, a pair of carriers, a pair of clamping members mounted on said carriers for clamping the counter portion of a shoe w'idthwise, parallel links mounted on said 2m frame and pivotally connected by said carriers to guide said clamping members toward and from the toe gauge, means mounted on said carriers for moving said clamping members toward Aand from eachother, andl means arranged to secure 2.5 said links -in various` positionsl of angular ad- J'ustment.

A5. VAishoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a pair of clamping members mounted thereon for clamping-wdthwise the forepart of an out- 3101, soled shoe, a pair of clamping members-arranged to clamp the counter portion widthwise,means arranged to carry said counter-clamping` members toward and `from the fgorepart-clamping members, and aheel-endabutment carried by ,55- said carryingl means-to-locate the counter,A portion with respect to said oounter-clampingmembers;

6. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a toe gauge mounted thereon, parallel links pivotally connected; to the frame, carrying means pivotally connecting said links, the links being arranged to carry said means toward and from the toe gauge, a pair of cooperative clamping members carried by said means and arranged to clamp the counter portion of the shoe widthwse, and means for moving said clamping members toward and from each other.

'7. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a toe gauge mounted thereon, parallel links pivotally connected to the frame, a pair of carriers connecting said links, said carriers being spaced widthwise of a shoe and the links being arranged to carry them toward and from the toe gauge, a pair of cooperative clamping members carried 5- by said carriers and arranged to support the heel toward and from eac-h other.

8. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame, a toe gauge mounted thereon, a pair of members arranged to c-lamp the forepart of a shoe widthwise, a heel-end abutment, means arranged to 5 carry said abutment toward and from the toe gauge, said abutment having a portion formed to enter the rand crease and engage the marginal extension thereof, and a pair of members carried by said carrying means to clamp the counter portion widthwise.

9. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a pair of members arranged to clamp the forepart of a shoe widthwise, a toe gauge, a frame on which said clamping members and the toe gauge are mounted, and operating means by which the clamping members and the toeugaugeiar'e. interconnected to shift the latter heightwise' off'a shoe When the clamping members are moved widthwise ofthe shoe. l, v .v .A

10. A shoe-supportingA jack comprising a pair of members arranged to clamp the forepart f' a shoe WidthW'ise, a toe gauge, a'fr'ame on which said counter members are carried toward and from said forepart members, a frame on which said forepart members and said carrying means are mounted, means arranged to restrain said forepart members against movement away from eachother, means arranged to restrain said carryingv means against movement to retract the counter members from the forepart members, andl a' member arranged to' trip both of said restraining means.

12. A shoe-supporting jack gauge, a heel-'end abutment, means for carrying said abutment toward and from the toe gauge, a p'air of members arranged to clamp'A the forepart of a shoe Widthwise, a frame on which said toe gauge, carrying means and clamping members are mounted, means arranged to restrain said clamping members against movement away from each other, means arranged to restrain said carrying means against movement to retract said abutment from the toe gauge, and a member arranged to trip both of said restraining means.

comprising a -to'elinks are constrained to equalize the movements of the clamping members.

14. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a pair of members arranged to clamp a shoe Widthvvise,

a pair of carriers therefor, the clamping members and the carriers having swivel connections, two pairs of paral-lel links by which said carriers are carried toward and from `each other, a frame on which said links arev pivotallymounted, and operating means by which said pairs of Vlinks are'interconnected to move the clamping members toward and from Veach other.

15. A shoe-supporting jack comprising a frame arranged to turn about an axis, a toe gauge arranged to locate the toe portion of a shoe in a predetermined relation to said'v axis, means arranged to clamp the counter portion Widthwise, adjustable means arranged to carry said clamping means toward and from the toe gauge, means arranged to clamp the `forepart widthv'vis'e, and means arranged to retract the toe gauge from engagement with theshoe. p 4

16.V A shoe-supporting jack comprising a heelend' abutment and a pair of counter clamps arranged to form a group, a toe rest and a pair of forepart clampsarranged to form another group, carrying means on which one of said groups is mounted, a frame on which the other one of said groups is mounted, said carrying means being adjustably mounted on said frame and constrained thereby to carry its group toward and ,from the other, and means arranged to Voperate said clamps.

, EUGENE J. RAY. 

